Gais chief in fight over ‘leak’ claim

Under fire manager accuses Bord Gais of manipulating tender competitions to exclude one of the largest construction companies in the state

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Bord Gais manager is seeking a high court injunction to prevent the company from taking disciplinary action against him after he was accused of leaking confidential information about a tender competition.

The manager is accusing Bord Gais of manipulating tender competitions to exclude one of the largest construction companies in the state.

Mike Trench, a construction manager, lodged papers in November and his case is scheduled for hearing on January 20.

Eight senior managers named by Trench, including John Mullins, the chief executive, have rejected Trench’s allegations as “without foundation” in affidavits filed with the court. They insist the tenders of the semi-state company, for which Bord Gais budgeted €260m last year, are in full compliance with normal rules and are not biased against any firm.

Trench is accused of leaking information about the tender for work on the Ballymartin wind farm in Co Kilkenny that had a value